Coin control device



1943- F. H. OSBORNE 2,327,154

COIN CONTROL DEVICE Filed Nov. 23, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 m X6 2 a? fle 7, 1943. F. H. OSBORNE- COIN CONTROL DEVICE Filed NOVQ 2s, 1.940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 17, 1943 COIN CONTROL DEVICE Fred H. Osborne, Snyder, N.- Y., assignor to The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, North Tonawanda, N. Y., a corporation of Ohio I Application November 23, 1940, Serial No. 366,900

This invention realtes generally to certain new and usefulimprovementsinthe magnetic type of coin devices employing a socalled scavenger for ejecting and returning coins or slugs which may become trapped in the device. 1 w

It has for its primary object to provide electrivally-controlled means for governing the closed and open positions of the scavenger element of coin devices of this character, so that when there is no current flowing to the apparatus on which the coin device isused, and it is therefore inoperative should coins be deposited, the scavenger willremain open and thereby enable both genuine and spurious coins or slugs to be rejected and returned to the patron. Y 1

Another object of the invention is to provide a scavenger control for coin devices which is simple and compact in construction, which is positive and reliable in operation, and which, while preventing the normal operation of the coin-governed, apparatus when other than a genuine coin is deposited in the device, will assure the return of genuine coins or slugsto the user shouldthe apparatus for any reason be out of order by reason of lack of electrical current for operatingit.

Other features of the invention reside in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:- y Figure 1 is a side elevation of a multiple coin device showing my improved scavenger mechanism associated therewith. Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof. Figure 3 is a side view. similar to Figure 1, but partly in section and with the lower cover plate removed to show the normal travel of a coin deposited in the device. Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section-taken substantially in the plane of line 4-4, Figure 1, the scavenger element or gate being in its normally closed position, and the magnet 211 and the electromagnet 32 being omitted. Figure 5 is a similar section, but showing the scavenger element in its open position to permit thereturn of deposited coins to the patron. Figure 6 is a detached perspective view ,of the scavenger element and its associated actuating mechanism,

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, By way of example, my improved scavenger mechanism has been shown in connection with a multiple coin device such, as is used on autocoin contral or selector devices but more particularly to 3Claims. :(Cl. 194-401) g l matic phonographs for controlling the playing of as many records as there are coin or coin values deposited, and whichcoin-controlled de-' vice is of the type employing among other elements, a magnet which acts to separate the spurious coins from the genuine coins and thereby permit the switching on operation of.

' functions t permit the normal operation of the coin control mechanism to accept genuine coins and to reject spurious coins or slugs. should the electrical control of the phonograph become inoperative for any reason, as a lack of electrical energy to supplyit for operation, then the scavenger mechanism is automatically rendered operative to prevent the normal coin passage through the coin control mechanism and anism, thenumeral l0 indicates a bracket upon which are mounted a plurality of coin-selector devices or units H, [2 and I3 for accommodat- ;ing 5, 10 and cent coins, any genuine coin so depositedsuccessfully passing through the device and being adapted to close the usual magazine switch mechanism of the phonograph or other apparatus for assuring the playing of as many records as there are coins or coin values deposited. Each of these coin devices is identicalin construction and a description of one.

will suffice for all. I i Each coin device consists of plate l4 suit- ,ablyattached in a vertical plane to the supporting bracket l0 and having at its upper end coin-receiving inlet or mouth I5, while in its for the discharge of genuine coins to a point for actuating the control switch of the phonograph for other apparatus to be rendered operative.

However.

and the other for the discharge of spurious coins or slugs. A magnet 20 is positioned in operative spaced relation adjacent the upper portion of the coin chute to create a magnetic field which acts to retard the rolling movement of spurious coins or slugs and thereby direct them to the discharge passage 19. Genuine coins are not affected by the magnet and their speed of motion through the chute causes them to be directed through the discharge passage l8 and thence to a point to trip the control switch of the phonograph or other apparatus controlled thereby.

Applied to the upper portion of the coin chute plate l4 and overlying the same for movement transversely toward and from the same is a vertically-swinging gate or scavenger member 2i which is hinged at its upper end to substantially horizontal pivot-pins 22. adjacent the magnet 29 and is cut out to provide an opening 23 through which the magnet ex- This gate is disposed;

said spring being of a greater tension than that of the springs 25. The movement of the bar 28 in the opposite direction to permit the closing of each scavenger gate is controlled by the core or plunger SI of a solenoid 32 included in the operating circuit of the phonograph or like apparatus, said bar having a lug 33 in coupling engagement with the solenoid-plunger. By this construction, as long as electric current is being supplied to the apparatus rendered operative by the deposit of a coin, the solenoid is energized and the actuating bar 28 is shifted to aretracted position so as to not interfere with tends so as not. to interfere with the swinging movements. of the gate;

of the chute-plate M, to form a cover-wall for the contiguous: of' the: chute and thereby properly guide: the coins, during their initial travel throught-he chute. On its inside face and adiacent the lower edge; thereof the gate has an inclined ledge or track which abuts against the face of the chute-plate and alongwhich the coins roll and, are directed. pastthe magnet 29". A; spring 2 5- coiled about one of the pivot-pins 2.2

and hearing. at one end against a lateral projection 28 at one side of the scavenger-gate 29' normally urges the latter to its closed position with the coinatracl; 24* thereof in abutting en-' the operating or supply circuit of the phonograph or like apparatus and which functions to automatically control the simultaneous opening and closing movements of those gates. When such circuit is "on or operating inthe normal manner, this electrically-governedmechanism is likewiseenergized to assume a retracted position so not to interfere with the action of each spring 25 to retain its companion gate in closedposition. 0:! the other hand, should the supply circuit of the apparatus fail for any reason whatever, then said mechanism assumes a projected position and acts to open the scavenger-gates against the resistance of their individual springs 25 andcause any coins deposited at such time to be returned to the patron by passing through a separate and independent coin path. For this purpose, a shifta'ble actuating bar ZSispro vided' at one side of and common to the chuteplates- Hit for movement transversely thereof and having: tappet or follmverlugs 23 thereon in con-- tasting or abutting relation with the rear or inner sides of thesprin'g-engaging projections 26 of the companion scavenger gates 22. A spring'tfi connected at one end toa fixed part of the device and at its other end to this tappet bearing bar normally; urges itin a direction to shift the scavenger gates to their/open position,

In its normal closed, operative position,v this gate assumes a position in: spaced; parallel, relation to the-upper portion scavengerthe guide trackv 24, and, are directed. forwardly.

by a deflector 34 formed on the face of the chute-plate Hi into a reject pocket or passage 35 formed by a flanged member 36 applied to the cover-plate 21. From this pocket, the coins, whethergenuine or spurious, are returned to the patron through a suitable chute or receptacle, not shown, thereby assuring the patron against monetary loss when the apparatus controlled by the deposit of coins is ele'ctricallyinoperative' I claim' as my inventioni 1. 'In a coin device of the character described,

a coin chute having a passage for the normal I travel of coins therethrough and a passage for scavenged coins, a scavenger member disposed in operative relation to said chute and movable to closed and opened positions to govern the travel of coins to said first and second-named passages,'respectively, yieldable means for normallyreta'inin'g the scavenger member in its H closed position to direct the coins through, the normal-travel coin passage, and electrically-retractable means in operative engagement with said scavenger member for permitting its movement to closed position by said yieldable means when the circuit is closed to such retractable means and causing-the latter, Whenthe circuit is open, to project said scavenger member to its open position, said retractable means including a shiftable actuating bar having a follower lug thereon engageable with the scavenger member and a spring connected thereto and of greater tension than the scavenger member yieldable means for normally urging said bar in a directionv to open said member, and a solenoid having its plunger in operative coupled engagement with said bar for controlling the movement of the latter in the opposite direction. o

2. a coi'ndeviceof the, character described, tCQln chute having a passagefor the normal travel of, coins therethrough and apassage for-- scavenged coins, a scavenger member disposed. 1n operative relation to said chute and movable to closed and opened positions to govern the travel of coins to said first and second-named passages, respectively, a spring for urging said,

scavenger member to its closed position, a shiftable element in operative en agement with the scavenger member for moving it to an open position, a spring applied to said shiftable element and of a greater tension than said scavenger member spring for actuating such element in a x direction to open the scavenger member, and an electrically-responsive means operatively connected to said shiftable element and normally operative to retract the latter to a position in which the scavenger member is closed, said electrical means, when inoperative, causing the shiftable element to be urged by its spring to a projected position to open the scavenger member.

3. In a coin device of the character described, a coin chute having a passage for the normal travel of coins therethrough and a passage for scavenged coins, a scavenger member disposed in operative relation to said chute and movable to closed and opened positions to govern the travel of coins to said first and second-named passages, respectively, said scavenger member having a projection thereon, a spring in operative engagement with said projection for normally urging the scavenger member to its closed position, a retractable, shiftable element having a portion thereon in follow-up engagement with said scavenger member projection, a spring connected to said shiftable element and of a greater tension than said scavenger member spring for urging it to a projected position and the scavenger member to its open position, and solenoid means operatively connected to said shiftable element for retaining it in its retracted position.

FRED H. OSBORNE. 

